THE PIPITS 



Appear to be a link between the Wagtails and the 

 Larks. They resemble the former in the movement 

 of their tails, but their plumage is more of the colour 

 of the Larks', and some of them have their long hind 

 claws. There are three species of Pipits, called the 

 MEADOW PIPIT, TREE PIPIT, and ROCK or SHORE 

 PIPIT. The MEADOW PIPIT (Anthus pratensis\ called 

 also the " Titlark," " Titling," " Song-bird," and " Moss 

 Cheeper," is very common in stubble and turnip-fields, 

 and will run about the sheep feeding in the latter, and 

 pick up the insects and worms. They are gregarious 

 birds, assembling in flocks, and roosting together on the 

 ground at night. The female is said to cover her nest, 

 which is generally on the ground, with dead grasses, 

 when she leaves the eggs or young. This bird has a 

 feeble plaintive song, and sings on the wing, but on 

 the descent, instead of in ascending, as the Lark does. 

 The TREE PIPIT (Anthiis arborcus) is a much better 

 songster, and sings in a curious manner, rising from 

 the topmost twig of a tree and fluttering onwards as 

 it sings. It has a short hind claw. 



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